Hi John -- thanks for those interesting stories about the "love flutes"! If making an instrument and composing your own original tune on it was still a prerequisite to marriage, I bet there'd be far fewer divorces these days! A lot of "hearty" effort, creativity and devotion would be required of the male, instead of just having enough $ in his wallet to buy a ring.

Regarding " My native friends are somewhat divided on whether the "commercial" Love Flutes show respect and appreciation for native traditions, or are a rip-off and "callous bastardization" of their traditions. Respect for the tradition would not try to force western scales from an authentic instrument - IMHO."

Well, I understand the angst some people feel about the "bastardization" of tradition, but I don't think it's very productive to get upset about the natural "evolution" of this or any other instrument. WHen cultures mix these things are bound to happen. I wonder if the Spanish feel the same way about the electric guitar and Jimi Hendrix??

Meanwhile, I am not going to let other people's "issues" stop me from enjoying my new flute, or from playing whatever I care to on it when it arrives -- from Amazing Grace to eagle-calls! (Actually, I'll be pleased if I can just produce a few tolerable notes!)

Yours musically --- daylia